Steaming iron



July 3, 192s.

R. LYEPRESTRE STEAMING IRON Filed March 15. 1928 3 Sheets-Shet 1 IIIIII-IIIIEIIIII I ITNEssIEs Il ,all

k145 INVENTOR elte' BY ATTORNEY July 3', 192s.

1,676,098 R. LEPRESTRE STEAMING IRON Filed March l5. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w|TNEgSES f lNvENToR w ATTORNEY July 3, 192s.

' R. LEPRESTRE STEAMING IRON Filed March 15, 1.928

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Parent! July 3,1928.

UNITED STA REN LEPRESTRE, OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

STEAMING IRON'.

Application led March 15 1928. Serial No. 261,870.

This invention relates to steaming irons.

An object of the invention is to provide an iron of this character of any size and weight desired and which includesa sole plate having a heating element therefor and a steam generator having an independent electric heating element, in combination With a single operatingdevice which controls the inlet of water to the steam chamber, the outlet of steam from the steam chamber through the sole plate, and also controls the opening and closing of the circuitto the electric heating element in the steam chamber.

A further object is toprovide an iron of this character employing as a heating element in the steam chamber spaced electrodes in circuit with the alternating current whereby one electrode is active and the other neutral and grounded to the wall of the chamber. The current passing through the water from one electrode to the other makes the water 'flash into steam, so that Water supplied to the steam chamber is vaporized as fast as it flows and there is no accumulation of water in the steam chamber.

A further object is to provide, in an iron of this character in connection with the steamy chamber abovedescribed, a steamoutlet chamber or dome which receives the steam from the steam chamber and which returns to the "steam chamber any water which may splash thereover or which may be condensed so that only steam can pass through the sole plate.

My invention therefore includes a novel construction of iron as a. whole, and, more specifically, an improved electric heating element. improved means for preventing escape of water, an arrangement of valves 'con trolling the inlet of water and the outlet of steam, a separate heating element for the sole plate of the iron, means for directing an alternating current to the heating element, a thermostat controlling the operation of the sole plate heating element in accordance with the temperature of the sole plate, and a single lever or other device, preferably operated by the thumb or finger of the user of the iron, to perform simultaneously separate or distinct functions or operations, namely, to close 'the circuit to which can `be made l the heating element in the steam chamber and to open the valves admittingwater to the steam chamber and permittln'g escape of steam through the sole plate of the iron.

With an iron of this character the sole plate may be continuously heated and the 11on used for dry ironing but whenever steam is desired Water may be supplied and steam generated and supplied through the sole plate of the iron by the operation of a single member preferably located adjacent to the handle of the iron.

An iron of this character has many features of construction and advantage, all of which are illustrated inthe drawing and will be more fully hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims. i.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved steaming iron;

Figure 2 is a view, mainly in longitudinal section through the iron, with the handle or other portions of the iron shown in elevation; y

Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal lsection on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

.Figure 5 is a view in transverse section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a View in transverse section on the line 6 6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary inverted plan view, the view being in section on the line 7 7 of Figure'2;

Figure 8 is aview in longitudinal section onthe line 8 8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view showing a steam chamber with a modified form of heating element therein;

Figure 10 is a view in longitudinal section showing the. same heating element as in Figure 9, the view being taken in section on the line 10 10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing another modified form of heating iron;

Figure 12'V illustrates a simple form of electric diagram showing how the parts of the iron are controlled.

My improved steaming iron includes a sole plate 1, a body or casting 2 above the sole plate, a separate cover 3 for the body Figure 12, which may .is adapted to heat the sole 2, said sole plate, body and cover being separably secured together.

I of course do not limit myself to the particular manner of securing these members together, but it is desirable that the connecting means be such as to permit the parts to be separated and assembled without dilli.v

culty, and I have shown as securing means screws 4 which project through registering openings in the several members and have screwor the members so as to eilectually connect the parts.

The sole plate 1 is lar er than the body 2 and a casing `5 encloses the body 2 and cover 3 and is removably secured to the sole plate 1. I have shown, as securing means for the casing, screws 6 for the purpose, these screws being projected through openings in the casing and screwed into the cover.

' A bracket 7 is secured to the casing '5, and supports a handle 8, and the rear end of the casing 5 constitutes a separate removable plate 9 for convenience of access to the rear endof the iron.

I shall {irst describe the details of construction of the iron, then the construction Iand operation of my improved electric heater or lheating element in the steam chamber, and then explain a simple form of electric circuit, such. as indicated in the diagram in be employed in connection with the iron.

Between the sole late 1 and the body 2 an electric heating clment 10 is located and late. The body '2 is formed in its upper ace with a relatively large recess 11, constituting a steam chamber, anda smaller lrecess 12, constitutsteam dome or chamber.

ingna' the steam chamber- 11 my improved electric'heater o r heating-element 13 is 1ooated andthe cover 3, above referred to,

4 forms the top closure of both of said chambers 11 and 12 and has a recess 14 therein y extending over the wall 15 between said chambers, so thatsaid 'recess 14 constitutes a passage for' the steam over the wall 15 into chamber-12 .l

'I wouldl call particular attention to the 12 is in a hi her plane than the bottom of the steam cham r 11, and that the bottom of the 'steam chamber 12 is inclined to a return port 116 inrwall v1li to return an water from the 'chamber 12 to the-'cham ,r 11. To state this n another way, vthe bottom. o'f

l chamber12 isin` a plane at least as high 'or higher. than there .wi-ll-be vany water level inv he steam ch.

ber, "so that however violently the water-may lhe boiled Aor agitated no water can-,remain in thesteam chamber 12 but can return'to chamber 11 even though it Iboils over the-wall 1.5.

The cover 3 has a water inlet lnipple 17 readed engagement with one or more the crank extending through the casing 5, and ma be connected by a flexible hose (not shown with any source of water supply. This nipple 17 directs the waterinto )a chamber 18` in the rear end of cover3, said chamber being closed at the rear end of the cover by means of a screw plug 19.

rIhe chamber 18 1s connected by a Aassage 20 jointly in the cover and in the loo y 2 so as to direct water into the steamchamher 11, and the iiow of water through this passage is controlled by -a valve 21 having a stem 22 with a springx 23 operatively engaging theV collar 24 on t e stem,normally holding the valve in closed position. A

The passage 20 above referred to has a right angle bend adjacent the chamber 18 and the stem 22 is formed with longitudinal grooves 25 therein so that when the valve is partially opened the water can pass through these grooves from one part of the passage j to the other, as will be readily understood.

The cover 3 forwardly thereofand in line with the stem 22 supports the stem 26 of a steam outlet valve 27, said valve 27 maintained normally closed by a coiled s engaging the same. This valve 2 has a ring 28` grooved cylindrical projection 29 which seats The sleeve 31 has longitudinal movement in a'lug 32 integlral with the cover 3 so'that it will engage t the rear. An arm 33 has a collar'34 pinned to the stem 26, This collar bears against the sleeve 31 so that when the collar is moved tov the rear or to the right of Figure 2 it will on one end of alever 36, said lever having pivotal mounting in a bracket 37 on casing fact that the4 bottom-of the steam chamber j fward end of the iron handle 8 4so that it is in ort, the latter commume collar 24 when moved to l y bothvalves 21 and'27 to be opened si- .multaneously. The arm 33 is engaged by a crank pin 35 a convenient position to be depressed by the -1 thumb or linger to open the valve.' To-the 4 un er face of the casing 5 I con- Fi re 7. s sliding plate 39 has slot'. an 4opin connection with thecasing, as vshown., at and has a recess 41 receiving the crank pin'35. A. coiled s ring 42 connects one end of-theplate 39 wit the casing so'as to exert a pull on the plate and to in and lever tonormaltsition with the .v vesl closed. Of course e valve nect'a'slidin'lghlplate. 39, shown in detail in lasA assist' in returningY V iso has its own spring, as above explained, to close the same, but the spring 42 aids these springs in maintaining the lever 36 in normal position and returning it to such position.

The steam escaping through the passage 30 above referred to escapes through perforations 43 in the sole plate 1, and these perforations may be arranged in any desired manner and may be connected by ooves or passages 44 and, in fact, it is to be istinctly understood that the invention is not limited to the particular manner inV which the steam finds its outlet through the sole plate. I have shown a threaded coupling nipple 45 positioned through the heating element 10 and screwed into the passage 3() to hold the parts in coupled relation, but it is to be understood that such details are capable of variation.

Referring now to the particular electric heater or heating element 13 which I employ in the steam chamber 11, attention is particularly directed drawings. This electric heater pair of electrodes 46 and 47, spaced apart and held in spaced relationship by grooved bars 48 of insulation of non-conducting material.

In connection with these electrodes 46 and 47 itis to be distinctly understood that I employ an alternating current so that the electrodes alternately are positive and negative and the electric current will pass from one electrode to the other in one direction and then reverse, so that Water comingin the steam chamber will be quickly generated 'into steam.

The particular electrodes illustrated are coiled one Within the other. The invention in its broadest aspect covers various shapes and forms of electrode which will accomplish the purpose. For example, in Figures 9 and 10, I illustrate a modification of heater in which circular electrodes 49 and 50 are supportedand operatively connected by bars 51, respectively, but it is of course to be noted that these electrodes are spaced apart and maintained in spaced relation and are ticular form of electrode alternately positive 'and negative so as to accomplish-the results above explained.

In Figure 11 I illustrated another modification of electric heater in which the 'electrodes 52 and 53 are slightly curved and perforated and arranged parallel to each other and connected at their ends by conductors or terminals 54.

I do not -Wish to be limited to the parbut desire to cover broadly the idea of spaced electrodes in'an iron of this type included in an alternating current circuit; and it is desirable that the electrodes be of thesame Imetal or material so that there will be an absence of electrolysis in the operation.

In the electric circuit to the sole heating to Figures'2 and 4 of thel comprises a 1 element 10 I employ a thermostat 55 in the form of a bar-influenced by the temperature and carrying a Contact 56 movable toward and aw y from a stationary contact 57.

The contact 57 may be on a bendable member 58 operated by a screw 59 projecting through the casing so that a manual adjust-4 ment may be had to causevthe thermostatto open and close at the desired temperatures. This thermostat 55 and its cooperatingparts are supported by a plate 6() of insulation which also supports electric conducting elements to maintain them insulated from each other.

vAs the iron may be used in connection v with supplies of various -pressures it is desirable that a valve be employed to regulate the size of the passage to the steam chamber. With this idea in view I provide a screw-threaded needle valve 61 which is in the Water passage 20 above referred to and Which may be moved toward and away from a seat 62 to control the flow.

It is to'be understood that this valve 61, when once set in -accordance with the pressure of the Water, Will not be disturbed, and the flow of water Will be controlled entirely by the opening and closing of the valve 21.

In the electric circuit to the heater 13, I employy a pair of normally spaced electric contacts 64 which are in the form of spring tongues supported on the cover 3, and a pivoted finger 65 operated by the arm` 33 is adapted to force these contacts together and close the circuit to the electric heater whenvalve.

I do not of course Wish to be limited to any particula-rpelectric circuit in connection with my improved iron, but in order that -the operation may be clearly understood. I illustrate in Figure 12 an electric circuit which Will answer the purpose. In this figure the reference character 11 indicates more specifically the steam chamber but also indicates the metal constituting the body of the iron, and the electrodes 66 and 67 represent the lead Wires included in the alternating current circuit.

The lead Wire 66 is connected to one terminal 68 of the sole heating element 10, the other terminal 69 of said heating element 13 being'connected to the thermostat 55. The strip or tongue 58 co-operating with the thermostat 55 is connected directly with the other lead wire 67. The lead Wire 66 yis eonl nected by a Wire 70with the electrode 47, and between the ends of this wire 70 the elecv tric switch contact members 64 are located. The electrode l46 is connected directly With the lead Wire 67 by a conductor 71. and this electrode 46 is grounded on the iron body, as indicated.

The diagram. (Figure 12) also indicates diagrammatically the positions of the steam and water inlet valves A27 and 21, respectively, and the means for moving the same through which anfalternatmg current 1s and closing the switch contacts 64.

, The operation of the iron 'is' as follows: The sole plate heating element 10l is-continuously in circuit when the .iron is in use so that the sole'plate is heated and maintained at the temperature desired entirely independent of the steam generating features of the iron. WheneverA steam is de sired, the operator moves the lever 36 and this operation of the lever 36 causes both the water valve 21 and the steam valve 27 to open `and also functions to close the circuit to the electric heater 13 in the steam chamber 11. As the water flows into the steam chamber 11 it is instantly vaporiz'ed or steam generated therefrom, and the steam passes into Vthe chamber or dome 12 and from thence through the soler plate of the iron. This steam dome 12 communicates with the space back of the valve 27 lthrough the medi- 'um of a small port or passage 72 but,- as above explained, I do not wish to be limited to the particular details of the castings,

their arrangements and ports, etc., nor to the positions and arrangements of the valves as these are capable of various changes within the scope of the invention.

' There are, however, certain features of the invention which are essential to its functioning to the maximum degree of perfection but these .essentials may be enumerated as follows:

' The heating element must quickly change the water into vapor or steam, and must be proof against burning out and must not function whenv dry.

The heating element must be operated by an alternating current in order to properly function, and, furthermore, it is extremely desirable, if not essential, that a single member shall control the opening of both water and steam valves and the closing of the circuit to the heating element in the steam chamber.

Another more or less essential of the iron is the rovision of a steam dome or chamber which drains back into the steam chamber and which prevents any possibility of water passing through the iron but insures that only steam can escape'.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be preferred embodiments of my invention it is obvious various ,changes and altera-tions might be made in the general form of the parts described without departing from my invention and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at libertyto make such changes and al terations asfairly fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appendedclaims.

I claimz.

1. A steaming i iron. having a chamber therein t'owhich` water is admitted, andan electric heater in said chamber comprismg a pairl oil' electrodes spaced apart and passed.

prising a pair' of electrodes spaced apart and through which an alternating current is passed, said electrodes being of the same ma terial.

3. A steaming iron having a chamber therein to which water is admitted, and an electric heater in said chamber comprising a pair of electrodes spaced apart and t rough which an alternating current is passed, said electrodes comprising coils located one within the other.

4. A steamin iron, including a steam chamber, an a ternating current electric heating element in the chamber subjected to direct contact with water and functioning to pass an electric current alternately from one electrode to another to heatthe water.

5. A steaming iron, including a sole plate, a body on the sole plate, an electric element heating the sole plate, a steam chamber in the body, an electric heating element in the steam chamber, said steam chamber connected with perforationsv in the sole plate for the assageplate, va ves controlling the supply of water to the steam chamber and steam from the steam chamber, and a single member con-l trolling the operation of both of said valves.

6. A steaming iron, including a sole plate, a body on the sole plate, 'an electric element heating the sole plate, a steam chamber in the body, an electric heating element in the steam chamber, isaid steam chamber connected with perforations in the sole plate for the passage of steam through the sole plate, valves controlling the supply ofv water to the steam chamber and steam from the steam chamber, an electric switch in circuit with the last mentioned heating element, and a lever operatively connected to said valves and to said switch whereby the movement of the lever functions to simultaneously open both ofthe valves and close the switch.

7 A steaming iron, including a sole plate, .a body on the vsole plate having` a steam chamber therein, a steam dome in the body communicating with the steam chamber and draining into the steam chamber, valves controlling the iow of water to the steam chamber and the escape'of the steam from the steaming iron having a 4chamber therein through which water is admitted, and an electric heater in said chamber comof steam through the sole trolling the flow of water to the steam chamber and the escape of steam from the dome.

a member controlling the simultaneous op eration of said valves, an electric heating element in said steam chamber, and means operated by said member to close the circuit to said heating element when the valves are open. l

9. A steaming iron, including a sole plate, al body on the sole plate having electric steam generating means therein, and a single member controlling the ovv of water to the steam generating means, the escape of steam from said chamber and the opening and closing of the circuit to the electric heater.

10. A steamn iron, including a sole plate, a body on the so e plate having electric steam generating means therein, a single member controlling the flow of .water to the steam generating means, the escape of steam from said chamber and the o ening and closing of the circuit to the e ectric heater, said member comprising a. lever pivotally confnected to the iron, and a knob or button on the free end of the lever i proximity to the handle of the iron.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 14th vday of March, A.. D.- 1928.

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